The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Infectious Diseases (MCBID) Program

Project Summary The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Infectious Diseases (MCBID) program is uniquely situated in the Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) Department within the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and thus provides our trainees with didactic and research training in the context of public health problems, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. MCBID will select 8 PhD students and 4 postdoctoral fellows from a large pool of highly qualified applicants to support for 1-2 years. The MCBID training program rose to the challenge of the epidemic by rapidly re-focusing research projects to support convalescent plasma efforts and explore fundamental questions of SARS-CoV-2 and its immune response. The 37 training faculty have a wide range of experience and expertise in viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites causing human disease and in the invertebrate vectors associated with emergence and transmission of these pathogens. Since first funded in 1994, the MCBID program has produced scientists working in many areas of academia, industry and government on problems related to infectious diseases, vaccine development and the public's health. The primary source of training is in the research laboratory with personalized mentoring. The goal of the MCBID training program is to provide trainees with both a firm foundation in the basic disciplines necessary for the study of infectious diseases and a perspective that will enable them to apply their knowledge creatively to public health problems. Each PhD student completes: 1) a series of required courses in the basic disciplines of cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and immunology, 2) courses in virology, bacteriology, parasitology and vector biology, 3) courses in research ethics, epidemiology and public health perspectives, and 4) elective courses relevant to thesis topic and long-term career goals. A major innovation created during the current funding cycle is the R3 (Rigor, Reproducibility and Responsibility) program, which is now a certificate-granting program that will be required of all our trainees. Elective courses are chosen from among courses available in MMI, other departments in the School of Public Health and other Divisions of the University. Students will also complete 3 laboratory rotations during the first year with an option for a fourth rotation. Student progress is monitored by the Graduate Program Committee and the Thesis Advisory Committee, with attention to individual development plans. The goals of the postdoctoral training program are: 1) to provide focused training in those areas of the molecular and cellular basis of infectious diseases in which program faculty have special expertise; 2) to provide an opportunity for doctoral degree holders trained in more traditional environments to broaden their exposure to problems of public health importance and to evaluate their career goals in terms of public health issues; and 3) to prepare postdoctoral fellows for an independent career in the biological sciences.